Guan Saw was inspired to conduct this research while working with UTSA's Prefreshman Engineering Program.
(April 11, 2018) -- Guan Saw, assistant professor in The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Education and Human Development’s Department of Educational Psychology, recently received a research grant from the American Educational Research Association (AERA). He will receive $35,000 over two years from AERA, funded through the National Science Foundation.
Saw’s research project will focus on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and opportunities both in- and out-of-school for women, minorities, first generation students, and students with disabilities. He will also look at how these opportunities impact STEM outcomes among these groups of young students.
“Research to date has not offered a theoretically grounded and methodologically rigorous analysis of how STEM learning experiences in- and out-of-school reinforce each other and how they promote student STEM outcomes. This project aims to fill this gap,” said Saw.
The inspiration behind this research, Saw said, came from his experience working with UTSA’s Institute for P-20 Initiatives’ nationally-recognized Prefreshman Engineering Program (PREP), a seven-week STEM summer program for middle and high school students.
“My previous work largely focused on in-school STEM learning and outcomes,” said Saw. “In collaboration with the Institute of P-20 Initiatives, I recently started to examine the opportunities and outcomes of STEM learning both in- and out-of-school for underrepresented students. Winning this highly competitive research fellowship means that my newly established research direction is recognized and supported by the AERA, a leading professional organization in educational research.”
Through his research project, Saw aims to publish his research in top education journals and help inform STEM policy at the national level.
“Through this AERA fellowship, I hope to generate and disseminate research evidence that is relevant to policymakers and practitioners at the federal, state, and local levels for establishing priorities and strategies of policy and practice aimed at improving STEM education and increasing STEM diversity,” said Saw.
AERA is an international education organization dedicated to the advancement of educational research. Each year, the organization awards scholars from around the United States with research grants to support impactful educational research.
UTSA is ranked among the top four universities in the nation under 50 years old, according to Times Higher Education.
Learn more about the American Educational Research Association Research Grants.
Learn more about Dr. Guan Saw.
Learn more about the Department of Educational Psychology.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Come to the Alamodome for the season's first UTSA Football Home Game and participate in Rowdy Rush! Wear your best orange UTSA fit for this Orange Out game. Come to the Student Indoor Tailgate before kickoff to play games, eat food, and get hyped to cheer on the Roadrunners as they take on the Owls! Then be part of Rowdy Rush to form the tunnel for the players' entrance before kickoff.
AlamodomeCheer on the UTSA Soccer team as they take on Colorado State. Head over to Park West for this spirited experience!
Park West Athletic ComplexIn observance of Labor Day, UTSA will be closed on Monday, September 2. Plan a day exploring San Antonio with your roommate(s) and new friends.
Main Campus and Dowtown CampusLearn some planning, researching, and writing tips to help you with upcoming writing assignments.
Writing Center, (JPL 2.01.12D,) John Peace Library, Main CampusUTSA Police Department and Office of Risk and Emergency Management will host a safety information center with giveaways and interactive demonstrations. Both departments will provide information on services available to the UTSA community.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusExplore ways of engaging with the community through our community-based work-study program. Voter registration and voter engagement opportunities with our community partners will also be shared.
McKinney Humanities Breezeway, Main CampusEnjoy an ice-cold paleta while learning about the parking options.
East Campus Lot 1 and Brackenridge Lot 5, Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.